Courtesy of Domtar Dryden
Domtar is taking proactive action to ensure the soil and groundwater is safe around the mill in Dryden.
Spokesperson Bonny Skene says a contractor has started sampling to confirm there is no legacy or mercury contamination from decades ago that is finding its way into the Wabigoon River.
“Doing it on a voluntary basis. We want to assure ourselves that previous studies, what they found is in fact the case, and we worked with the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks on this sampling plan.
Skene notes, “To date, no scientific studies have found ongoing migration of any concern from the mill site.”
Starting Monday, traffic control will in place and one lane of West River Road will be restricted to safely allow for the completion of work.
Skene says they have hired a highly qualified contractor to carry out the work and they will need a space safe while working along the river bank.
The soil and groundwater sampling and delays are expected to last roughly four weeks.
This another step to address ongoing and historic mercury contamination concerns in Grassy Narrows First Nation, Whitedog First Nation and other area communities resulting in to an uncontrolled discharge of between 9,000 kilograms and 11,000 kilograms of mercury from the Dryden Chemical Company’s plant from 1962 until 1970.
